Polishing machine



Nov. 22, 1938. c. T. M CLEAN POLISHING MACHINE Filed May 27, 1936 2Sheets-Sheet l [N VENTOR CLYDE T. MAOLEAN BY [a 2 g A TTORNE Y3 NOV. 22,1938. c MacLEAN 2,137,535

POLISHING MACHINE Filed May 2'7, 1956 2 SheetsSheet 2 IN VENTOR CLYDE T.MACLEAN A TTORNEYS Patented Nov. 22, 1938 r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEPOLISHING MACHINE- Application May 27, 1936, Serial No. 82,124

4 Claims.

This invention relates to polishing machines and more specifically to amachine designed to polish the surface of moldings of the type used infinishes for automobiles. Some of the mold- 5 ings employed in motorvehicle construction are irregular in form, those used for finishingwindows, in particular, having a closed form in which the sides thereofare not always in parallel relation with each other. It is in connectionwith moldings of the latter type that the present invention isparticularly applicable, the machine forming the subject matter thereofbeing designed to facilitate the polishing of the exposed surface of themolding and permit the entire surface to be polished in a singleoperation.

The following description pertains to a machine for polishing windowmoldings and the accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodimentof the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line. 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; 25 and Fig. 4 is aperspective view of one of the brackets with a polishing pad supportedthereon.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that a base l0, havingT-slots ll therein, supports a 30 plurality of brackets I2 in which arejournaled shafts it having sprockets I4 secured thereon. One of theshafts extends through base l and is coupled with motor l5 which drivesthe shaft and the sprockets thereon. Shafts I3 are journaled in suitableanti-friction bearings shown at I6. Each of the sprocket shaft bracketsis slotted, as indicated at IT, and bolts l8, each having a head I9,cooperate with T-slots H. A nut 2! on each bolt secures the bracket tothe base. It is obvious that, with the connection just referred to, thebrackets may be adjusted with respect to the base and to each other. Inthe form of the invention shown in the drawings the machine is intendedto polish an article having sides disposed in several planes, such asthe four-sided molding used in the rear quarter window Opening in anautomobile. Since the outline of the molding is not rectangular, theshaft brackets are positioned at the approximate 50 corners of the innerperimeter of the molding.

Adapted to be driven by and mesh with the several sprockets are a pairof spaced traveling elements shown as endless chains 22, certain links23 of which are fastened in any appropriate manner to a number ofbrackets 24. Each of these brackets comprises a vertical standard 25 towhich is secured a substantially v-shaped pad supporting member 26having apertures 27 adjacent each end thereof. Polishing pads 28 areheld in brackets 24 by suitable securing means 29 cooperating withapertures 21 to hold them in place on the brackets. It will be notedthat pads 28, when fastened to the brackets, lie partly within the angleformed between the legs 3| of the supporting members 26, thus permittingsome latitude of flexibility and adaptability to conform themselves tothe cross-sectional contour of the article being polished. In Fig. 2 itwill be seen that the surface 32 of the molding, indicated at 33, whichis to be rubbed is substantially J- shaped. The pads, which in thepresent instance are flexible fabric bags filled with a spongy orresilient material, readily adapt themselves to the shape of thatsurface of the molding which is to be exposed,

Interposed between shaft brackets l2 are a number of guide supportingbrackets 34, each of which is substantially L-shaped and has a slottedbase 35 to permit adjustment of the bracket with respect to the base In,in much the same manner as the shaft brackets are adjusted. Each bracketcarries a pair of guide rails 36 having a form corresponding with theside of the molding to which it is opposed. Thus the guides assume aparallel position with respect to the sides of the molding, guiding thechain in a predetermined path corresponding with the inner perimeter ofthe molding to effectively hold the pads in engaging relation with theentire surface of the molding.

The operation of the machine will be understood from the foregoingdescription. It is only necessary for the operator to position themolding over the polishing elements and by holding the molding firmlyagainst the pads, it will be seen that the entire surface ispolished asthe pads pass thereover. Thus the entire surface of the molding ispolished in one operation, which takes but a short time and lessens thelabor and expense in connection with the polishing of articles of thetype referred to.

It is obvious that the machine just described is susceptible of changesin size and shape so that it is adapted to use in the polishing ofVarious sizes and forms of molding or similar articles. The chains maybe lengthened or shortened, depending on the size of the article to bepolished, and pads and supports therefor added to or removed from thechains whenever necessary. The adjustability of the brackets supportingthe drive shafts and guide pieces permits the establishment of a varietyof paths of chain travel so that the machine may be employed for shapesother than that shown in the drawings. The polishing pads illustratedare of the type suitable for moldings of the character shown but theymay be replaced by other polishing elements or even by abrading andfinishing members, depending on the type of Work for which the machineis employed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a machine for polishing the surface of an article having a closedform, an endless traveling element disposed wholly within the perimeterof the said surface, means for driving said element in a path conformingto the perimeter of said surfaceof the article, a plurality of flexiblepolishing elements and means on said traveling element for supportingthe ends of said polishing elements with the intermediate portionsthereof free to flex to conform to the surface of the article.

2. In a machine for polishing the surface of an article having a closedform, an endless traveling element disposed wholly within the perimeterof said surface of the article, means for driving said element in a pathconforming to the perimeter of said surface, a plurality of flexiblepolishing elements, and a plurality of brackets carried by saidtraveling element, each of said polishing elements having its oppositeends supported by one of said brackets and having its intermediateportion unsupported to allow bending thereof to conform to thecross-sectional contour of the article.

3. In a polishing machine, a base, a plurality of brackets mounted onsaid base, an endless chain, a plurality of sprocket wheels engageablewith said chain and journalled in said brackets, means for adjustingsaid brackets relative to the base to vary the path of travel of saidchain to conform to the shape of an article, and a plurality of flexiblepolishing elements supported on said chain for engagement with saidarticle.

4. In a polishing machine, a base, a plurality of brackets mounted onsaid base, an endless chain, a plurality of sprocket wheels engageablewith said chain and journalled in said brackets, means for adjustingsaid brackets relative to the base to vary the path of travel of saidchain to conform to the shape of an article, guide members adjustablymounted on the base for engagement with said chain at pointsintermediate said sprocket wheels, and a plurality of flexible polishingelements supported on said chain for engagement with said article.

CLYDE T. MACLEAN.

